Invitation to voluntary annexation

Seeking annexation is now an option for homeowners living southeast of the town limits

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – For homeowner Linda Hall, seeking voluntary annexation into Summerfield – and paying property taxes in the town – doesn’t make sense because she’s “happy as a lark” living in unincorporated Guilford County.

On the other hand, homeowner Andy Ide said he plans to seek voluntary annexation into Summerfield because he prefers to become a taxpayer in a town where he believes leaders are more responsive than leaders in Greensboro to the south.

A special called meeting of Summerfield Town Council last week opened the door for residents on the town’s southern and eastern boundaries to seek voluntary annexation into Summerfield. The meeting in Center United Methodist Church on Lake Brandt Road drew a mixed reaction among about 50 homeowners in the Ridgewood subdivision and surrounding unincorporated area between Summerfield and Greensboro.

“It is not a have-to,” said Mayor Tim Sessoms, explaining to property owners they can seek annexation into Summerfield or remain part of the unincorporated county.

In early April, Summerfield mailed letters to nearly 700 property owners inviting them to “a community conversation about voluntary annexation” into the town. In the letter, Sessoms pointed out what property owners would get from Summerfield in exchange for paying property taxes.

“Voluntary annexation would afford participants a vote in Summerfield elections, an opportunity to impact decisions through service on town committees, and substantially lower property taxes compared to Greensboro,” Sessoms said. “Regarding development practices and regulations, Summerfield allows far lower density per acre compared to Greensboro.”

Summerfield’s property tax rate is 2.75 cents per $100,000 of property valuation. In Greensboro, the rate is 66.25 cents.

Summerfield leaders are pursuing voluntary annexation after the Guilford County Board of Commissioners last year rejected the town’s request to create an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) on its southern and eastern borders.

The move would have given Summerfield zoning control over the area, enabling the town to block higher-density residential development from abutting town limits.

By unanimous vote, the commissioners sided with the Greensboro City Council and the heirs of Lunsford Richardson, the inventor of cold salve Vicks VapoRub, in opposing Summerfield’s request.

The Richardson heirs own 1,124 acres in the area where Summerfield wants to exert zoning control. Greensboro said it has extended water and sewer services to some properties

Potential Voluntary Annexation Area

NC-150 W

LUNSFORD RD JAMES DOAK PKWY

L AKE BRANDT RD R O Y S T E R R D

PLAINFIELD RD

0 THISTLE TRCE 0.25

0.5 1 Miles Summmerfield Fire District

Current Summerfield Town Limits

Parcels Eligible for Voluntary Annexation

Produced by the Town of Summerfield Planning Department using Guilford County GIS Data Map updated 4/26/2022

This map, presented at a special called meeting of Summerfi eld Town Council on The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 April 28, shows the area in which property owners in Summerfi eld’s southern and eastern boundaries would be eligible to seek annexation into the town.

in preparation for the city’s growth.

“Things are coming this way from Greensboro,” Summerfield council member Reece Walker told last week’s meeting attendees. “Summerfield is a small town, and we would like to protect that character.”

Summerfield Town Manager Scott Whitaker and Brad Rentz, the town’s planner, showed a map of the area eligible for annexation. It aligns with the boundaries of the Summerfield Fire District, according to Rentz.

Property owners outside of the fire district won’t be eligible for voluntary annexation until May 2027, the expiration date for an agreement between Summerfield and Greensboro blocking annexation in the area, Whitaker said.

Town staff is preparing petitions for property owners to seek voluntary annexation and will review the petitions to determine which are eligible for annexation, Hornik said.

Property owners can seek annexation individually, Hornik said, noting the review will determine whether there are enough petitions to avoid “doughnut holes” in the area proposed for annexation.

Annexation requires a public hearing and an affirmative vote by Summerfield’s town council, he confirmed.

In other business, the council plans to consider approval of a design guidebook for future commercial development in the town’s core. In addition, the Historic Preservation Commission will present its design standards handbook that explains requirements for new construction and renovating properties in the historic district.

Separately, the council will hear a proposal by the Piedmont Triad Regional Council to update the 2017 study of town staff salaries. The council also plans to consider reappointing Kyle Anders to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

An International Firefighter Day presentation will honor Oak Ridge’s fire and rescue personnel.

want to attend/watch?

The 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall this Thursday, May 5, is open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.oakridgenc.com.

Early voting for May 17 primary through May 14

by PATTI STOKES

GUILFORD COUNTY – Early voting for the May 17 primary will continue through May 14 at eight locations in Guilford County. During the early voting period, citizens can vote at any of the eight voting sites regardless of their assigned voting precinct.

Eligible citizens who are not registered to vote in Guilford County may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at that same site. This process is called “same-day registration.”

There are no early voting sites in Oak Ridge, Stokesdale or Summerfield for the May 17 primary – the closest early voting sites to citizens in northwest Guilford County are at Bur-Mil Club, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Rd., Greensboro (just off U.S. 220), and Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Rd., Greensboro.

Early voting sites in Guilford County will be open weekdays through Friday, May 6, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday, May 9, through Friday, May 13, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, May 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Election Day, Tuesday, May 17, voters must vote in their assigned precincts.

Visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/board-of-elections to view a sample ballot and for detailed voter information including a list of candidates running for election in the May 17 primary, early voting locations, how to find your assigned voting precinct on Election Day, how to obtain an absentee ballot and more.

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